EPL: They’re not great footballers – Paul Scholes criticises two Man Utd stars

By Adeleye Kunle

Manchester United legend, Paul Scholes, has criticised two Red Devils stars, David de Gea and Raphael Varane, insisting that the duo are not great footballers.

Scholes said this ahead of Manchester United’s Premier League derby against Manchester City on Sunday.

“Louis Van Gaal joined Manchester United and wanted to play possession-based football, but United aren’t that,” said Scholes on Sky Sports’ The Overlap.

“It was always about substance over style, scoring goals and making chances rather than a pretty end product.

“The crowd gets nervous when the goalkeeper tries to play a ten-yard pass, that is not a Manchester United philosophy, that is Barcelona or Ajax. With Erik ten Hag, he stumbled across it.

“After the Brentford game, he realised he did not have the players to play that way, he knew he had to go more direct.

“Raphael Varane, as great a player as he has been, isn’t a great footballer. David De Gea isn’t a great footballer.

“So, play to your strengths, which for United is the attacking players, and you have to admire the new manager for playing that way [more direct].”